(Note: The following update was written by Laurie Cabot. I consider some
of the information in here to be of importance to all witches and magickal
people, and so I have posted this. This is NOT an endorsement of Ms. Cabot
or the "Witches League for Public Awareness." - Brad Hicks, Fido 100/523.)
___________________________________________________________________________
WITCHES LEAGUE
for Public Awareness
c/o CROW HAVEN CORNER
125 Essex Street
Salem, Massachusetts 01970
This is an official response and complaint to Warner Brothers scheduled
production of the film based on John Updike's novel "THE WITCHES OF
EASTWICK."
The WITCHES LEAGE FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS is a newly formed international
anti-defamation organization working to protect the civil rights, dignity,
and public portrayal of the over six million witches and pagans in the
United States and across the world.
We find the context of THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK's portrayal of modern day
witches inaccurate, offensive, and a violation of our Constitutionally
guaranteed civil rights to practice religious freedom, free from the fear
of harassment, discrimination, persecution or the incitement of the public
to form adverse opinions of members of a religious group - in this case,
the Witch community.
In the Federal court decision EFSTATHIOU VS. RHODES April 1977, case
C44.159, Judge Winston Arnow presiding, the Federal Government of the
United States of America ruled that "Wicca" or "witchcraft" is a legitimate
religion and entitled to protections under law afforded any other religious
group in this country.
The inaccurate and negative portrayal of "witches" as ruthless,
bloodthirsty Satan worshippers who participate in black masses and resort
to murder and violence to achieve their desires, is an infringement of our
religious right and is harmful, slanderous, and malicious.
Witches do not now nor ever in the history of the world, worshipped or
recognized the existance of Satan or devils. They are not a part of our
religious belief structure. We are a group of people who live by the
principle, "Do What You Will If It Harm None." We do not harm humans or
anmials, we do not provoke or initiate violence, revenge or harm of any
sort or advocate such actions in others. We do not use our psychic
abilities to do harm. We are not a frivolous fringe group to be made light
of and ignored.
There over six million witches and pagans in the United States alone, we
surround you in every profession and community. We are doctors and
herbologists, bank presidents and astrologers, physicists and psychics,
film producers and philosophers. Our numbers are large and we are uniting
in the United States and abroad to fight the incorrect and negative
depiction of witches everywhere.
We need the assistance of Witches and Pagans everywhere. We are asking you
to become an official member of THE WITCHES LEAGUE FOR PUBLIC AWARENESS and
send letters of complaint concerning THE WITCHES OF EASTWICK to the
following addresses:
Mr. Robert Friedman Massachusetts Film Bureau
Warner Brothers Julie Wrinn
4000 Warner Boulevard 100 Cambridge Street
Burbank, California 91522 Boston, Massachusetts
Cohasset Office of Selectmen American Civil Liberties Union
Mary Jane McArthur, Chairperson Reverend Barry Lynn
4 Highland Avenue 122 Maryland Avenue
Cohasset, Massachusetts 02025 Washington, D.C. 20002
Accuracy in Media
1275 K Street N.W., Suite 1150
Washington, D.C. 20005
___________________________________________________________________________
I would like to join the Witches League for Public Awareness. Enclosed is
$25.00 for a one-year membership including newsletter and updates.
Name ______________________________________
Address ___________________________________
City _____________________ State __________
Send to:
Witches League for Public Awareness
c/o CROW HAVEN CORNER
125 Essex Street
Salem, Massachusetts 01970